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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001353 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JUNE 18, 2009 
 
Summary:  President Asif Zardari's remarks made during his meeting 
with European Commission's officials in Brussels that "Pakistan 
seeks trade, not aid" dominated headlines in all major newspapers on 
Thursday.  Several newspapers also front-paged report that the 
"Peshawar Airport closed after terror threat."  Reports and 
photographs of Ambassador Patterson's visit to IDPs camp in Swabi 
and her reiteration that "U.S committed to continuing its support 
for displaced families in Pakistan" received extensive coverage. 
Newspapers ran the Secretary of State Clinton's statement 
"applauding" the resumption of dialogue between Pakistan and India. 
The English language daily, "The News," and its sister Urdu 
newspaper, "Jang," reported that President Obama's National Security 
Advisor James Jones would visit Pakistan next week.  A statement by 
Qari Zain, a rival commander of Baitullah Mehsud claiming that the 
"TTP Chief has links with India and Israel" also received prominent 
coverage. 
 
Most major dailies ran analytical editorials on President Zardari's 
meeting with Indian Prime Minister Singh on the sidelines of 
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.  The prestigious 
English daily, "Dawn," pointed out that "to revive the dialogue 
after an impasse can be quite a challenge and invariably requires 
the friendly intervention of friends - the U.S. on the present 
occasion."   Likewise, the center-right national English daily "The 
Nation," noted that the "U.S. also played an important role in 
encouraging the initiation of the dialogue."  The Lahore-based 
independent Urdu daily "Din," opined that the "meeting between the 
two leaders has created the hope of resumption of bilateral talks. 
However, our leaders must ensure that they do not put national 
priorities on the back burner when these talks actually take place." 
 End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"We Want Trade Not Aid, President Zardari Tells EU" "The News" 
(06/18) 
 
"The European Union said on Wednesday it would strengthen relations 
with Pakistan and offered President Zardari counter-terrorism help 
in his bid to defeat Taliban and other Islamic militants at home. 
At a meeting that both sides called 'historic,' EU officials and 
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari agreed to shift their 
relationship from one that has long focused on trade to one that 
also embraces regular discussions about security, good governance 
and regional and global issues.  A joint statement after the meeting 
said the EU would step up relations with Pakistan in the fields of 
development, education, science, security, counter-terrorism, 
strengthening democracy, trade and other issues.  President Zardari 
pushed for greater access to European markets, saying that trade 
rather than aid was his chief goal in a landmark summit with the EU. 
 'What I need is trade, not aid.  I'm looking for MoUs (memorandums 
of understanding) and not IoUs and I intend to get them,' he 
added." 
 
"Peshawar Airport Closed After Terror Threat" "Dawn" (06/18) 
 
"The Peshawar International Airport was shut down on Wednesday after 
an intelligence report warned of a terrorist attack on aircraft by a 
militant group based in the tribal region, officials said.  An 
official said the airport would remain closed till Thursday night." 
 
 
"United States Provides Supplies For Displaced Children In Swabi 
District" "The Nation," "The News," "Jang," "Ausaf," "Islam," 
"Mashriq," "Nawa-i-Waqt," "Express," "Khabrain," and "Pakistan" 
(06/18) 
 
"U.S. Ambassador Anne W. Patterson visited the Anbar Elementary 
College Camp in Swabi District, where approximately 2,500 displaced 
persons are currently residing.  During her visit, the Ambassador 
delivered school supplies for more than 500 displaced children 
receiving instruction at the school. In addition, the Ambassador 
provided 520 long-lasting flashlights that do not require batteries 
to displaced households residing at both the Anbar site and Worker 
Welfare Folks School, Shah Mansoor.  'We are committed to continuing 
our support for displaced families in Pakistan and are prepared to 
do more as the situation demands,' said Ambassador Patterson." 
"Hillary Praises Resumption Of Indo-Pak Dialogue" "Daily Times" "The 
News," "The Nation," (06/18) 
 
"Applauding the resumption of dialogue between Pakistan and India, 
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday has voiced the 
hope that New Delhi would support Islamabad's anti-terrorism 
efforts.  'Of course, we believe that India and Pakistan actually 
face a number of common challenges, and we welcome a dialogue 
between them,' she said, addressing a meeting of the U.S.-India 
Business Council." 
 
"Obama's Security Advisor Due Next Week" "The News," "Jang" (06/18) 
 (06/18) 
 
"Pakistan and the United States will be having highest-level 
dialogue on the security issues next week in Islamabad when the 
President Barack Hussain Obama's National Security Advisor (NSA) 
general James L. Jones would be visiting the region." 
 
"Zardari Sought Time To Act: Singh" "The News" (06/18) 
 
"Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Wednesday that 
President Asif Ali Zardari had sought more time to act against 
anti-Indian militants because Islamabad's fight with the Taliban had 
entered a crucial phase, Singh told reporters on his way back from 
Russia, where the two leaders met on Tuesday." 
 
"Indo-Pak Talks Meaningless Without Kashmir Issue: Former Army Chief 
General Baig" "Ummat" (06/18) 
 
"Pakistan's former Army Chief General (R) Aslam Baig has said that 
resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan would prove 
meaningless if the outstanding and core issue of Kashmir is not 
addressed.  He claimed that upcoming two months would be disastrous 
for Americans in Afghanistan.  He termed the U.S. presence as 
root-cause of terrorism in this part of the world.  He brushed aside 
the notion that 'Afghan Taliban are fighting against Pakistan Army,' 
and avowed that 'they do not want to fight against Pakistan Army.'" 
 
"Kill Baitullah Now Or Else, Warns Rival Commander" "The News" 
(06/18) 
 
"Qari Zainuddin, a rival commander of Tehrik-e-Taliban Chief 
Baitullah Mehsud, on Wednesday accused the TTP Chief of having links 
with India and Israel. He acted against Islam as well as the country 
and if not eliminated now, militancy would surge and problems for 
the government would grow.  In an exclusive interview with Geo News, 
Zainuddin Mehsud said though Baitullah was wearing the cap of 
Mujahideen but all his actions were against Islam and the country, 
adding they would support military action against him." 
 
"Baitullah Is U.S. Agent, Claims Former Close Aide" "The News" 
(06/18) 
 
 
"Haji Turkistan Betani, a former close aide of Baitullah Mahsud, has 
claimed that assassination of Benazir Bhutto was plotted by 
Baitullah.  Talking to Sana Bucha in Crisis Cell Program of Geo 
News, Haji Turkistan also revealed that Baitullah is an American 
agent and this is the reason he has not been targeted by the U.S. 
drones.  Haji said that Baitullah is misguiding innocent youths on 
the instigation by Israel and India to destroy mosques and 
educational institutions and martyr religious scholars inside 
Pakistan." 
 
"Major Militants' Headquarters Destroyed" "The News" (06/18) 
 
"Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik while talking to a private 
TV channel on Wednesday said the government was candid in its 
efforts to root out terrorism from the country and the major 
headquarters of the militants had been destroyed." 
 
"28 More Militants Killed In Dir, Swat" "The News" (06/18) 
 
"As the armed villagers in Dir Upper district on Wednesday killed 
six holed up Taliban fighters in Doog Darra area, the Army claimed 
to have killed 22 more militants in the nearby Dir Lower and Swat 
districts during the ongoing 'Rah-e-Rast' operation.  Locals said a 
cave in Kandao area of Ghazigay village, where the armed villagers 
have surrounded the Taliban, was heavily shelled from Panakot and 
Beranjo.  Security forces have deployed artillery guns in these 
areas to pound the positions of the militants to soften targets for 
the Lashkar, which is using heavy weapons." 
 
"Jets And Choppers Fly Sorties Over Waziristan" "Daily Times" 
(06/18) 
 
"Army surveillance planes flew over suspected Taliban strongholds in 
Waziristan Agency, where a major operation is planned, and 
helicopter gunships hit several targets in advance strikes on 
Wednesday, officials said." 
 
"Troops Kill 4 Militants In Bajaur" "The News" (06/18) 
 
"Four militants were killed and several others injured as the 
security forces expanded the ongoing operation against Taliban to 
other areas in Charmang, Bajaur Agency on Wednesday." 
 
"Five Terrorists Held" "Daily Times" (06/18) 
 
"Police on Wednesday arrested three suspected terrorists, including 
two would-be suicide bombers, in Rawalpindi; a suspected Taliban 
from a mosque in Peshawar's Kissa Khawani Bazaar; and a notorious 
terrorist from the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi group in Karachi.  Police also 
seized suicide jacket, a hand grenade, two pistols, 90 rounds and 2 
kilograms of explosives." 
 
"Taliban Vow To Continue War" "The Nation" (06/18) 
 
"Swat-based Taliban have vowed to continue war against the 
government till 'practical implementation' of Nizam-e-Adl in 
Malakand Division, said Tehrik-e-Taliban spokesman Haji Muslim Khan 
while talking to BBC on Wednesday via telephone from an unknown 
location." 
 
"Illegal Seminaries In Capital (Islamabad) Face Closure" "The News" 
(06/18) 
 
"The government has decided to close down all seminaries working 
illegally in different parts of the federal capital.  The Capital 
Development Authority (CDA) has issued notice to one such 
institution in a posh sector of the city, 'The News' learned on 
Monday.  'There are 260 Madaris (seminaries) in the Islamabad 
Capital Territory and around 15 of them are operating illegally,' an 
official of the CDA told The News requesting anonymity." 
 
"U.S. Lawmaker Urges Senate To Quickly Pass ROZs Bill" "Daily Times" 
(06/18) 
 
"Congressman Chris Van Hollen, a supporter of the recently-passed 
Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) program in the U.S. House of 
Representatives, has called on the Senate to approve the bill 
urgently to help Pakistan secure its restive northwestern region." 
 
"U.S. Denies Giving Combat Assistance To Pakistan" "Dawn" (06/18) 
 
"Top U.S. Commander David Petraeus has denied that the U.S. is 
providing direct combat assistance to Pakistan in its fight against 
militants.  'We are not the source of it, this is a Pakistani 
operation,' he said on Wednesday, as he listed U.S. financial and 
material assistance.  Some 100,000 rounds of ammunition and four 
MI-17 cargo helicopters had been delivered, while more than $400 
million in U.S. aid was sent to help the millions of refugees 
displaced by fighting in the Swat valley. Some $447 million in 
direct U.S. military assistance has also been pledged to Islamabad. 
But, according to Gen. Petraeus, 'none of this is direct support in 
combat,' the General said at a meeting with French journalists at 
the U.S. Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Handshake In Russia," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (06/18) 
 
"It is a happy development that New Delhi and Islamabad have decided 
to reopen communications and discuss issues at the negotiating 
table....  Nevertheless they will be important as they will set the 
tone of the dialogue in the months to come.  If they have a positive 
impact on the atmospherics of the talks these encounters would have 
been worth their while....  To revive the dialogue after an impasse 
can be quite a challenge and invariably requires the friendly 
intervention of friends - the U.S. on the present occasion. 
 
"SCO Moot," an editorial in the center-right national English daily 
"The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (06/18) 
 
"President Zardari's 40-minutes talks with Indian Prime Minister 
Manmohan Singh indicated the beginning of a slow thaw between the 
two countries....  U.S. also played an important role in encouraging 
the initiation of the dialogue.  The talks have been termed 
important for they could revive the peace process, stalled for seven 
months." 
 
"The Hope Of Indo-Pak Talks Resumption," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (cir. 10,000) (06/18) 
 
"The meeting between the two leaders has created the hope of 
resumption of bilateral talks.  However, our leaders must ensure 
that they do not put national priorities on the back burner when 
these talks actually take place. Otherwise, when the two leaders 
meet again at Sharm El Sheikh, the meeting will carry a sense of our 
defeat.  We hope that the government will not do this [i.e. Ignore 
national priorities]." 
 
"Pakistan-Indian Dialogue - Parliament Should Decide Parameters," an 
editorial in the leading mass circulation populist, often 
sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (06/18) 
 
"The situation demands that the government should take the nation 
into confidence vis-`-vis our foreign policy on India....  What 
communication took place with New Delhi in the backdrop of Indian 
terrorists, arrested in Pakistan?  What steps were taken to foil the 
conspiracy to render Pakistan barren by stealing its water?  What 
response was given to the Indian tactics of undermining holding of 
cricket world cup in Pakistan and harming Pakistan's trade?  All the 
steps should be taken in the light of agenda set by the Parliament, 
which it will provide after reviewing the foreign policy threadbare. 
 In the past some unjustified Indian demands were accepted in order 
to have good relations with India.  Now is the time to act in 
keeping with our constitution and the laws instead of arresting 
people on others behest." 
 
"Zardari-Manmohan Meeting: What Did We Gain, What Did We Lose?," an 
editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (06/18) 
 
"It appears that it was not a pleasant meeting, rather a session for 
Indian Prime Minister to reprimand President Asif Ali Zardari and 
repeating Americanized 'do more' mantra against terrorism.  And this 
humiliation was arranged by our leaders....  This meeting was 
nothing, but an instrument to heap more terrorism blame on Pakistan 
and seek guarantees for good moral character....  The nation can 
rightly ask President Zardari as to what forced him to meet with the 
Prime Minister of the country that was bent upon perpetrating 
aggression." 
 
"Indo-Pak Talks: The Thaw Begins," an editorial in liberal Urdu 
daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (06/18) 
 
"Undoubtedly, the meeting between Manmohan Singh and Asif Zardari 
can be termed a positive development towards the resumption of 
composite dialogue that has been suspended for the last eight 
months.  We must believe that there will be further steps towards 
normalization of bilateral ties when the two leaders meet again at 
the Non Aligned Movement summit in Sharm El Sheikh." 
 
"Zardari-Manmohan Meeting," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" (cir. 3,000) 
(06/18) 
 
"Foreign Office is repeating archaic expressions to describe meeting 
between President Zardari and Prime Minister Singh as a success, 
however, there was nothing as such that could be termed as success 
in this sidelines meeting.  India just reiterated its accusations 
against Pakistan, but Pakistani President Zardari remained silent, 
did not utter even a single word on what India is doing against 
Pakistan. Thanks to President that at least he raised the issue of 
Kashmir. America has been urging Pakistan for quite some time to 
resume talks with India, stop considering India as a threat, move 
troops from Eastern border as Pakistan has to now fight a war of 
existence in South Waziristan, but against whom?  Our own people?" 
 
"Time To Talk," an editorial in the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/18) 
 
"The resumption of greater normalcy between Islamabad and New Delhi 
is welcome.  But while dialogue and negotiations between the two 
nations are to be encouraged, and have in the past led to steps - 
such as the cross-border bus services - that help people meet and 
encourage contact between them, it is time now to fix a firmer goal. 
Both nations have suffered immense losses due to terrorism." 
 
"The Message From Yekaterinburg," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (06/18) 
 
"The war against terrorism should not be an India-Pakistan war.  So 
far it is, with Pakistan blaming India for mischief in Balochistan 
and its 'Consulates' in Afghanistan; and India blaming Pakistan for 
sheltering terrorists who attacked it last year and will continue to 
attack it unless punished.  If some media analysis is to be 
believed, the operation against Baitullah Mehsud is also a kind of 
India-Pakistan war.  A new kind of dialogue between the two 
countries is essential.  And it can't be a rehash of what happened 
in the past, in which some optimists saw 'great progress' but which 
yielded no results." 
 
"Zardari Should Have Discussed State Terrorism In (Indian Held 
Kashmir (IHK)," an editorial in the Islamabad-based rightist English 
daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (06/18) 
 
"We believe that there is no point in resuming the dialogue until 
and unless India changes its hubristic attitude and shows commitment 
and sincerity to engage into meaningful dialogue leading to 
resolution of the core issues.  The very fact that Dr. Manmohan 
Singh made uncouth remarks at the time of handshake with President 
Asif Ali Zardari shows that Indians have very little interest in 
normalization of relations and want to continue building pressure on 
the country on the so-called issue of terrorism. The way he talked 
also gave an impression as if there is nothing else in 
Pakistan-India context except terrorism." 
 
"Passage Of Pakistan Aid Bill In The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations 
Committee," an editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" 
(cir. 10,000) (06/18) 
 
"American Senate's Foreign Relations Committee has approved the bill 
for the provision of aid to Pakistan....  Pakistan's Ambassador to 
the U.S., honorable Husain Haqqani's efforts played a great role in 
having the new draft of the legislation approved and curtailing the 
conditions that were made part of the bill in the House of 
Representatives....  We appreciate the efforts the Pakistani 
Ambassador is making in our national interest and congratulate him 
for the same." 
 
"Operation Rah-i-Nijat, After Operation Rah-i-Raast," an editorial 
in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 
15,000) (06/18) 
 
"Admiral Mullen's secret trip to Pakistan soon after the Swat 
operation began led many observers to say that he came with the 
message that the U.S. was not interested in an operation in Swat, 
but an operation in the tribal areas, especially South Waziristan, 
as it believes these areas to be the real base of the Taliban and Al 
Qaeda. Following this visit, the Pakistani government and the army 
signaled that they would soon end the Swat operation and start it in 
Waziristan....  Now the army and 'militants' are being made to fight 
each other so that Pakistan can be destabilized internally. Things 
have come to such a pass that Pakistan is also being taught that its 
real enemy is not India but those religious forces in the country 
that are resisting or opposing U.S. interests in the region. 
Pakistan is being compelled to withdraw troops from its borders 
[with India] and shift them to the tribal areas...  It is important 
for our political and military leaders to stop and ask: are we 
becoming tools in the hands of our enemy-like friends for temporary 
interests." 
 
"Rah-i-Nijat," an op-ed by Hameed Akhtar in liberal Urdu daily 
"Express" (cir. 25,000) (06/18) 
"An operation against Baitullah Mehsud and his accomplices can prove 
decisive in stopping terrorism and suicide attacks. But for this to 
happen, the Pakistan Army needs the full support of the Pakistani 
nation.  Those who are still insisting that the operation be stopped 
and dialogue with terrorists be held must also look at Baitullah 
Mehsud's numerous 'feats.'  I feel it is incumbent upon all 
Pakistanis to participate in bringing to justice perpetrators [of 
crimes] like the killing of Benazir Bhutto and that of a moderate 
religious scholar like Maulana Sarfaraz Naeemi." 
 
"Mohmand - Where Proactive Military Measures Worked," an op-ed by 
Nasim Zahra in the populist, often sensational national English 
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/18) 
 
"The strategy focused on going after the Taliban commanders 
proactively and essentially taking the war to their strongholds. 
That is what seems to have paid off.  It has put the Taliban 
commanders on the defensive, restricted their movement and provided 
confidence to the local population.  Their camps have been 
dismantled, and instead of just clearing the roads the Mohmand 
Scouts have gone into their inner sanctuaries....  Another abiding 
challenge area in Mohmand agency is the Suran valley area. Above it, 
on the Pakistani Goraprai and Shoncrai posts, there is no U.S. or 
Afghan presence on the other side of the border.  In around mid-May, 
after repeated complaints by Pakistanis, about 60 American troops 
did base themselves opposite Pakistani posts.  On the sixth day the 
Taliban attacked them, leaving dead three soldiers and then the US 
forces withdrew.  Hence, the area is again unmanned and Afghan and 
non-Afghan movement left unchecked." 
 
"Obama's Mideast Agenda," an op-ed by Tariq Fatemi in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (06/18) 
 
"Admittedly, the speed and resolve with which Obama has decided to 
step into the quicksand of the Middle East imbroglio has caught the 
Israelis off guard. But Netanyahu is a highly intelligent and 
skilled politician, who will monitor the American domestic scene for 
any chinks in its armor....  Obama has his task cut out for him. 
Netanyahu will test his resolve and determination on all fronts, 
domestically and externally, with a mix of rigidity and ingenuity. 
The extreme religious right in the U.S. already is deeply suspicious 
of Obama.  This will be encouraged by the strong pro-Israeli 
lobbies.  Obama can take on this challenge only if he can assure his 
electorate that what he plans to achieve will not only ensure 
Israel's security, but also promote U.S. interests in the Middle 
East." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson